Career Blog
Telfer job seekers, did you know that:
- More often than not, before your application reaches the desk of a recruiter, it must be flagged by what we call an applicant tracking system (ATS)?
- Therefore, it is estimated that 75% of applications are rejected even before they are seen by an actual human?
What is an ATS?
An ATS is a software that employers use to collect, sort, scan, and rank job applications based on preset criteria. It is estimated that 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies rely on ATS software to help streamline their recruitment process. ATS have become a recruitment solution for an increasing number of organizations large and small.
What does an ATS do?
In essence, an ATS scans submitted resumés for specific keywords, hence determining which applications should be seen by recruiters. It weeds out unqualified applicants (and/or insufficiently‑tailored resumés), which makes the recruitment process easier.
What does it mean for you?
If your resumé is not optimized (i.e., written and formatted) for ATS, you may be rejected as an applicant EVEN if you are perfectly qualified for the position.
What can you do about it?
According to a study from TopResume, here are the tips you should follow for an ATS-optimized resumé:
- Select the right FORMAT.
PDF is not necessarily ATS friendly. If you are asked to upload your resumé to an ATS, and “PDF” appears in the list of accepted formats, use it. Otherwise, play it safe by sticking to Word (.doc or .docx).
- Avoid putting key information in a header and/or footer.
According to the TopResume study, ATS may not always be able to identify the job seeker’s contact information. Just to be safe, avoid using headers.
- Use keywords from relevant postings!
If you are unsure which keywords you should use in your resumé, collect a sample of job postings that represent the kind of position you are looking for. With the help of a word-cloud generator, such as WordClouds or Wordle, identify the vocabulary used in the job descriptions you have selected. Then, tweak your own resumé (and cover letter) accordingly.
- If you have several years of experience in something, take advantage of it.
After your Summary of Qualifications, add an “Areas of Expertise” or Core Competencies” section where you can list 3 to 6 of your strongest competencies (use terms from the posting). Don’t forget to “sprinkle” these same words into your “Professional Experience” and/or “Education” sections to demonstrate when you used those skills.
- Avoid tables, text boxes, images, charts, and other “creative” graphics
- Stick to plain and simple bullet points
- Keep it clean and organized
As you can see, optimizing your resumé for ATS is not rocket science, but it does require some thought… and time. To receive more personal tips and tricks on how to tailor your resumé for a specific application while making it ATS-optimal, book an appointment for resumé tailoring with the Career Centre staff through Career Launch.
To know more about ATS, check out the following resources:
What Is an ATS? How to Write a Resumé to Beat the Bots
Whether you are graduating next fall or in three years, chances are you already know that your education does not stop at the classroom door, and that to attract job offers, you will need more than a business degree. The good news is that uOttawa students have a free, unlimited access to over 9,000 online courses related to business, media and technology through LinkedIn Learning, a self-service training site.
Not sure if this is for you at this time in your journey? Here are four reasons that make LinkedIn Learning an invaluable resource for all professionals, especially in the current context.
1. Fill the gaps on your resumé
Have you ever found THE perfect job posting for you, only to realize that you are missing one or two qualifications or assets to apply with confidence? You are not alone. What you need to do is to: 1) identify the knowledge and skills that might prevent you from landing interviews (or even applying for jobs!); and 2) start filling in the gaps.
While you’re at it: Whether you’re learning how to use Quickbooks or Python, manage change effectively, develop a digital marketing strategy, or apply blockchain theory, don’t forget to update your resumé as you go.
2. Optimize your Web presence for job-hunting purposes
No matter how strong your LinkedIn profile, it will never yield optimal results if you remain a passive user. Whenever you complete a course or training on LinkedIn, you have the option to letting your contacts know about your progress and interesting courses they could take themselves. As your training “library” grows, you will generate traffic, attract views, and reinforce your professional brand.
While you’re at it: Remember to update your Skills section as you go.
3. Improve your French for the workplace
LinkedIn Learning offers hundreds of business-focuses courses and training in French. By pursuing your professional development in the other official language, you will learn not only new concepts that apply to your industry, but also the specific vocabulary that you need to discuss them in a professional manner. Plus, if you are contemplating a career in the public sector, it is an excellent way to demonstrate your intention to perfect your French.
While you’re at it: Build on this new knowledge to create a French version of your LinkedIn profile.
4. Make the most of your current schedule
The beauty of LinkedIn Learning is that you can choose from a wide range of formats, from a 15-minute presentation to a 23-hour learning path, and every length in between. Why not set two specific goals for yourself: one for the next term and one for the whole year. By dedicating as little as a couple of hours a week for a full term, you will develop a solid foundation in the topic of your choice.
While you’re at it: Choose wisely for optimal employability. See the most sought-after hard and soft skills in 2020: https://learning.linkedin.com/blog/top-skills/the-skills-companies-need-most-in-2020and-how-to-learn-them.
Access LinkedIn Learning now: https://biblio.uottawa.ca/en/use-library/using-linkedin-learning-uottawa
“I have just had an interview for my dream job! What is my next step? What can I do to increase my chance of getting the job?” Many students are unsure of what their next step should be after an interview. A professionnal follow-up email is a great way to establish connection with the interviewers and to get any updates or information regarding the position.
Below are the critical steps to write a professional follow-up email:
Step 1 – Choose the right subject line
A good subject line should be one that gets opened faster than any other emails lying in the recruiters’ inbox. Simply reply to the latest email they sent you. This way, email will get much more attention.
Step 2 – Keep it simple
The body paragraph should be kept simple, so it does not require much time and effort for the readers to understand. Stay straight-forward: avoid being shy or unclear. Thank the recruiters for the interview and their time, reiterate your enthusiasm about the position and invite them to contact you if there are any updates.
Step 3 – Click Send
This can be the hardest step! Many students worry that their follow-up email might bother the recruiters and make them sound too desperate for the job. It is completely ok to feel this way, but it crucial to send the follow-up email when necessary. Do not hesitate to reach out to the recruiters if you need to know about any updates.
Coffee chats with professionals are considered a more informal way of networking. However, many students see it as a daunting prospect. Here are a few tips regarding coffee chats that others have shared with me over the course of my university experience:
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Prepare ahead of time
Research the professionals in question and bring a list of questions to ask. Set a specific goal or objective that you want to get out of having this coffee chat. Maybe you are curious about their employer. Or maybe you want find out more about their career path. Make sure to jot down quick bullet points beforehand so you remember to mention everything.
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Arrive a few minutes early
Showing up to a coffee chat a couple minutes before the scheduled time is always a good practice. Arrive 5-10 minutes early and try to find a spot where you can watch the door. Once they arrive, greet them at the counter/line-up to buy coffee.
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Keep track of time
Bring a watch so that you can track the time without looking at your phone. When planning a coffee chat, be clear about the length of time. 5-10 minutes before the end, ask a wrap-up question about what they think you should do next. For example, you can ask them to recommend another person to talk to next. Close the conversation on time (respect their time!) with a firm handshake and a “Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.”
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Follow-up and send a thank-you note
By the end of the day or the following day, send a brief thank you email or LinkedIn message. Indicate how/where you plan to connect with them later. This could be “Looking forward to seeing you at Telfer Connects”, or “I’ll send you the link I mentioned” or “I’ll let you know how it goes with [person they recommended you meet]”.
Be sure to register for the “Let's Talk Coffee Chats” session through Career Launch in March to continue the conversation about coffee chats!
Reading week is upon us! For some of you, this will mean a well‑deserved rest after the midterms frenzy. For others, it will surely be an uninterrupted blitz of study. However you intend to spend this week, one thing for sure: you probably have no intention to spend it perfecting your professional image. You’ll surely be at home with your family and friends, or bing-watching your favourite show on Netflix. “Networking during Reading Week? Now way!” But if I told you that there are numerous, simple and interesting ways to network during this highly anticipated break, would take my advice?
Networking is not the only way to make your way in the professional world, and here is the proof. Below are three ways to strengthen your career development.
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Use YouTube for educational purposes
Did you know that we spend on average more than two hours a day on our various digital platforms? Why not use this time to watch informative capsules such as TED talks? There are thousands focusing on different topics, such as networking and the business world. Think about it next time you try to make a good impression at a networking event or during an interview.
Click here to see Isaac Serwanga’s talk on networking.
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Become best friends with Eventbrite
Eventbrite allows its users to see, create and promote local events. Thanks to research parameters, you can find business-related events on days that suit you. You wish to apply the tips you learned in a TED talk? Eventbrite is full of networking events and workshops focused on various skills (communications, leadership, IT, etc.)
Click here to discover what Eventbrite has to offer in Ottawa from February 17 to 24, 2020.
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Take care of your image
For any Telfer student, a LinkedIn profile is of the outmost importance: it is a way to get in touch with professionals and to stay informed. If you don’t have one already, create one immediately! Take advantage of Reading week to create a profile photo. Even better: get your own business cards! It’s an effective way to leave a good impression after a conversation with a professional.
Interested? Start exploring the various models offered by Vistaprint.
In all honesty, your professional image depends on the efforts you invest in them. Naturally, you will be busy during your reading week. Nevertheless, I invite you to take some time to pursue your career development. Good luck!
Self-assessment and personal development are fundamental steps that give you crucial insights into your career type and personality. They allow you to understand your interests and personality better through assessment tools including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Strong Interest Inventory.
The Who Am I: Self-assessment and Career Testing workshop takes place in two stages. The first meeting introduces you to the assessment tools and outlines what you should expect throughout the process while focusing on career planning and self-assessment exercises. The following week, there is a second meeting where you learn the results and interpretation of your interest and personality tests.
The answers on the MBTI assessment show your preference in each of the following pairs of opposites: introversion-extraversion, sensing-intuition, thinking-feeling, and judging-perceiving. Each preference is indicated by a letter, and a four-letter type description is established. There are 16 different personality types, and each provide unique insights into an individual.
Extraversion-Introversion
This dichotomy is related to your source and direction of energy: where do you prefer to focus your attention? Where do you get your energy? Extroverts can be described as enthusiastic, active and sociable. On the other hand, introverts are more calm, reserved, and quiet.
Sensation-Intuition
This pair of opposites express ways of perceiving: how do you prefer to take in information? Individuals who prefer sensing tend to be practical and take in information that is tangible including facts and details. Intuitive individuals focus on the “big picture” and are typically imaginative.
Thinking-Feeling
The thinking-feeling preference describes the way you come to conclusions: how do you make decisions? Thinkers are task-orientated, analytical, and consider the pros and cons of situations. Individuals who are more feelers typically are process-orientated and consider personal and social values when making decisions.
Judging-Perceiving
The last pairing answers the question: how do you deal with the outer world? The judging end of the scale deals with individuals who come to conclusions quickly and take a planned, organized approach; whereas, perceiving involves those who seek more information before making a conclusion and value flexibility.
You are presumably attracted to careers that allow you to make use of your natural type preferences. The four-letter combination can affect the kind of career that interests you and guide you in a certain career path.
Be sure to look out for the Who Am I: Self-assessment and Career Testing workshop through Career Launch and register to gain a better understanding about yourself and your personality type! For more information regarding career testing, or to obtain and discuss test results, you should book an individual consultation appointment with a Career Counsellor.
Spring break is over, and you’ve spent most of it studying for your upcoming exams. You’re sleep deprived and have only one thing in mind: assignments and midterms. You’ll rebuild your energy (and sleep reserves) once it’s all over. University life, am I right?
While you’re recovering from this stressful period, why not take a moment to reflect on your future? Whether you are just starting your studies or approaching graduation, you’re probably asking yourself what you want out of this. And the most obvious answer is always this one: A JOB. Yes, you should want to start your career, but what is exactly that you want?
Maybe what you need to do is to build a plan with concrete steps. Have you ever thought of writing a Personal Development Plan (PDP)? It adds structure and focus to your learning, and can help you define your goals and make the most out of all opportunities. Whether you’re just starting out or reassessing your development, a PDP is a great way to outline your progress.
Now, formulating this plan requires a lot of self-awareness and it should be an iterative process, because any decision you take will affect it. Here are the three steps to follow to create a stellar, high impact PDP.
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Define your current situation
Think not only of your current capabilities, but about everything you have done so far to further your development. Have you completed any workshop with the Career Centre, or any special course? These should appear on your PDP along with your initial objectives. Ask yourself if you are where you thought you’d be at this stage of your life. You should also evaluate your current skills and abilities. Are you tech‑savvy, a natural leader or a presentation wizard? Write down your current strengths and weaknesses.
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Determine where you want to go
Now is the time to write down your short- and long-term goals following a SMART approach: they should be S (specific), M (measurable), A (achievable), R (realistic), and T (timely). This step will help you track your progress and redefine your plan accordingly. You should also gather data on the various options open to you; identify the skills you need to reach your goals; and find how to assess those skills. Remember that the Career Centre can help you with a wide variety of activities.
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Execute your PDP and revisit it periodically
Now that you know where you want to go, it’s time get cracking. Keep the responsibilities of your current position: looking to the future shouldn’t mean neglecting the present. Keep working hard now to achieve your future aspirations. You should also keep a record of the progress you’ve made, and revise or adjust your goals occasionally. Working closely with a Career Centre advisor is a great way to hit those goals in your plan.
With a well-developed PDP in hand, you can now start working toward your long-term career goals. Regardless of where you find yourself in your professional life, formulating this plan can be a productive exercise. You can take control of your future by establishing clear goals and breaking them into smaller, manageable steps. Remember: fail to plan, and you plan to fail!
Sitting in the car, on the bus or in the library? Maybe you are going to the gym or just lying in bed. Do you need some career advice, motivation, or entertainment? Here are my two favourite fun and motivational career podcasts!
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The School of Greatness – Lewis Howes
Lewis Howes had a rocky childhood as he dealt with bullying and abuse. But he had his mind set on becoming a professional football player. After a life-changing injury, he became a New York Times best‑selling author and the owner of a seven‑figure, multimedia business. In The School of Greatness, he invites various celebrities such as actors, athletes and business moguls to talk about their story and their successes in business. Every Friday, he also posts 5‑minute videos with advice on topics like leadership and public speaking.
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Safe for Work – Liz Dolan and Rico Gagliano
Hosted by Liz Dolan, former Chief Marketing Officer of world-class brands such as NIKE, OWN:The Oprah Winfrey Network, and National Geographic Channel, and Rico Gagliano, a writer for the Wall Street Journal, this very funny and entertaining podcast talks about the little problems that may come with working a 9 to 5 job. They talk about things like asking for a raise, dealing with public-speaking fears, achieving the perfect work-life balance, and even how to fake an illness when calling in sick! They also take calls from listeners to answer their own career and work questions whether that is dealing with a crazy boss or dealing with a distracting coworker.
lewishowes.com/blog
www.themuse.com/advice/6-careerboosting-podcasts-youre-going-to-love-listening-to
Here are three little tips to help you stand out in your interview.
You aspire to work in the lucrative financial industry, but have only worked as a supermarket cashier? Scared that you will fail to answer technical questions during your interview? Keep on reading to discover three thing that you can do to stand out amongst a pool of qualified candidates.
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Learn a new skill or get a professional certification
Oftentimes, having a certification or expertise in a certain skill can help you distinguish yourself in an interview. Below are some ways to you can stand out, specific to your specialization, without needing years of education or any experience.
- If you are a Marketing student, you should look into the new Digital Marketing Certificate Telfer now offers to its students. With the advent of social media and data‑driven marketing, this course will teach you how to use social platforms to their full potential to reach your target market.
- If you are in MISA, arm yourself with the power of analytics by completing the beginner Google Analytics Certification course. It’s completely free! You can also look into learning a new programming language such as Python, C or Java.
- If you are a Finance student looking to build a career around investments, talk to the finance lab manager on DMS second floor about how you can pursue the Canadian Securities Course and the Bloomberg Market Concepts certification. Although the CSC can be quite expensive and time consuming, it serves as a good foundation for learning the materials covered in the CFA exam. Also, most firms will reimburse you for the expense after you get hired anyways so you can consider it a win-win!
- Interested in Accounting? Why not become proficient in softwares such as Quickbooks, Sage or SAP, just through YouTube? Those are used in most small businesses and government organizations. I once got passed over for an accounting job because the employers were looking for a student who knew how to use QuickBooks.
- If you are studying International Business, use your free time to learn the basics of a new language. You can also spend your mornings reading the news on global markets or listen to podcasts on your way to class. You won’t believe how impressed the recruiters will be during the interview.
These are just a few examples of what you can do to get an edge over other candidates in your specialization. Although they do require quite of bit of self‑learning and discipline, the value you will get from them is priceless.
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Read specialized books and bring them up in your interview
Reading specialized books highlights the fact that you are a dedicated learner even outside of your required classroom learning. Also, it is a great way to show recruiters that you possess the knowledge of a particular industry, without having any prior work experience in that sector.
Wait! There’s more!
Reading regularly will enrich your vocabulary, which in turn will improve your communication skills. This will give you an edge over other candidates, as you will be able to express yourself with extra confidence and sophistication during your interview.
Some classics that should be on every business student’s reading list are: The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham, Good to Great by Jim Collins, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, and Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies by McKinsey & Company.
I am positive that after giving these books a read, you will be able to finesse your way through technical interview questions without any work experience.
Naturally, you don’t have to limit yourself to books. I remember tying back one of my interview answers to an episode of the TV show Suits.
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Follow-up after your interview
Have you heard of the serial position bias? Hiring managers typically interview candidates individually in sequence and then make decisions after all candidates have been considered. Studies show that the human brain is more likely to remember the first (primacy effect) and the last (recency effect) interactions and are more likely to forget those in the middle. As a result, your chances of moving on to the next stage depend not only on your merits but also on how well recruiter remembers your evaluation.
That is why a crucial part of your job hunt is to follow up with your interviewers. It could be as simple as sending them a thank you note for their time. This will help refresh their memory, and, due to the recency effect, they will subconsciously be more likely to keep your name in mind.
You will learn more about this topic in your Organizational Behaviour course in second-year.
At the end of the day, remember that employers know you are just starting out, which means that they will be much more impressed with your interpretation of “experience” and with the way you relate it to their questions. My advice to you is this: be yourself, keep it honest, and use the strategies above to make one killer of an impression! Good luck!
We are already midway through summer, and this welcome break from school may have given you the opportunity to take stock of what you have achieved so far, and to reflect on what you want to accomplish next in your academic and professional journey. With that in mind, five staff members at the Student Services Centre (SSC) have graciously accepted to share with you key pieces of professional advice they wish they had received earlier in their career.
“Know when to be a sender and when to be a receiver. I have always had a go‑getter attitude and wanted to be “part of the conversation”. Whether it was to prove myself as a professional or to ensure I had a say in the matter. I often chose to speak when it would have been wiser to listen. Listening is a learned skill, and there is a tremendous value in listening to those around us and actually taking in what they are saying and learning from their experiences.”
Amanda Richardson
Manager
Telfer Career Centre
“When I was a kid, I never had a finalized game plan for when I would "grow up". I held several types of jobs: salesperson, teacher and researcher, project manager, publisher, administrator at Telfer! Two things have helped me grow in all of them: remaining 1) open; and 2) flexible. When presented with a project or task I had never tackled before, I would volunteer with enthusiasm and use that opportunity as a stepping‑stone towards the development of a new skill.”
Esther Ouellet
Interim Academic Administrator
Student Services Centre
“I hate interviews. Of course, you will tell me that we all have to go through them. That being said, when our self‑esteem is faltering, it becomes difficult to display the kind of confidence that employers are looking for. With hindsight, I would give my younger self the following advice: “Prepare.” Researching the employer, rehearsing, organizing my thoughts, those are all skills that I already have. And if there is one thing that shows your will to work hard, it is preparation.”
Karianne Lessard
Events and Special Projects Assistant
Telfer Career Centre
“Focus on you. So many of us feel compelled to compare ourselves to others on various fronts (what they studied, how quickly they finished, where they work, how much they get paid, etc.) The truth is, each and every one of us is different and possesses a unique set of interests and talents. Don’t worry about what other people are doing… simply make choices that make sense for you. Concentrate on your own journey and don’t forget to enjoy the ride.”
Marion Lajoie
Career Counsellor
Telfer Career Centre
Get to know yourself. Get to know your personality, your values, your likes and dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses. Accept and appreciate all of it. And then, pursue opportunities that allow you to put it all into practice. Pursue careers, relationships and hobbies that are in line with it all. And remember to keep evaluating as you go. In the end, you will have lived a life that is truly fulfilling.”
Stéphanie Dion
Academic Development and Student Retention Specialist
Student Services Centre
We hope that these small pearls of wisdom will enlighten your reflection as you are preparing (not to hastily, hopefully) to go back to school. Always remember: whether you need a professional opinion, a guiding hand, a friendly advice, or an invigorating pep talk, you can always rely on the staff at the Telfer Student Services Centre.